Sound the trumpets and lower the drawbridge because the details of the Batman Begins sequel are here, after a long ride through the gossip fields an official seal has finally been branded on the eagerly awaited project.

In a statement Warner Bros' president of production, Jeff Robinov, confirmed that Chris Nolan would return to direct the next instalment, which will be called The Dark Night, with Heath Ledger confirmed as the villainous Joker.

"Chris' unique vision is what made Batman Begins such an outstanding film and we could not imagine anyone else at the helm of The Dark Knight," Robinov declared.